Breast

If you have silicone or saline breast implants at this point you should know that eventually they may fail. Usually not a big deal replacement is pretty straight forward. Its part of the deal when you have a man made device living inside you. I’ve seen both silicone and saline implants last more than 20 years, but not all do. But do you have to replace them? What happens if you don’t? Many patients seem to know less about getting them out then getting them in. So why would a patient want to remove them? People change- I have known… Read More

With rare exception my breast augmentation patients arrive with the request that they want to look ” not too big, not too small, and as natural as possible.” I’m on board. I like my patients to look lovely an believable. I like a result where the patients can dress their figures up or down depending upon the circumstances. Business like when needed. Sensual when desired. The task is not as easy as one might think. Many of my patients come in with preconceived notions based on headless photos and information that is not always correct on what I call ”… Read More

Drains are tubes that are left under the skin during an operation. They are used to remove pockets of fluid that can accumulate. After any surgery, the tissues ooze fluid to a certain degree as they heal. Fluid collections during healing can sometimes lead to infection. Despite this some areas are more prone to collections than others and not all surgeries need drains. Usually drains are removed within a week or so when there is little fluid coming out. The fluid enters a small clear bulb that looks like a grenade. The idea of removing a drain scares patients, but it is more… Read More

Implant Update: While I have compared and contrasted silicone vs. saline implants in the past the purpose of this blog is just to give an update on what breast implant options are out there. At the conclusion, I will share my preferences. Summary: Three companies are currently are FDA approved in the United States to make Breast Implants: Mentor Allergan Sientra Mentor and Allergan make saline and silicone implants, Sientra makes only silicone. Each company has its own version of low, moderate and high profile implants. Each company offers round or shaped implants. Each company offers implants that are smooth or… Read More

Breast Implant Review from Dr. Adam Tattelbaum: Allergan, Mentor or Sientra? Saline or silicone gel? Textured or smooth? Shaped or round, cohesive or gummy bear? And that’s just the beginning. In this brief blog, I will try to share some thinking and philosophy about the “too many” options we now have with breast implants. If you read my last breast blog (silicone or saline) you know that I prefer silicone gel, provided the patient is comfortable with it. If you have a B-ish or C-ish breast you will hide a saline well, but silicone will usually look and feel more… Read More

When I plan my mommy makeovers I like my patients to bring in their favorite underwear or even bathing suit with them. No string bikinis please, no lacy panties and no granny panties. Something about an inch or two wide around the hips for a tummy tuck or similar width for a bra under the arms, something not too valuable, in case I get some marker on it. I draw the outline of your garment on your body before plastic surgery and I use the outline as a target in which to hide scars. My incisions are individualized. For, example… Read More

I’m not a big one to jump on brand new items that come out for plastic surgeons. It seems to me that manufacturers’ want to sell me something that will “revolutionize” my practice on a monthly basis. Most of these things are short lived because they aren’t so revolutionary or just don’t work. In fact, the hype usually far exceeds the science. I feel differently about the breast implant funnel. A plastic surgical colleague was looking for a way to make it easier to insert silicone gel breast implants. Putting in a large silicone gel implant can require a lot… Read More

As some of you have undoubtedly noticed I haven’t written a blog in a while. Please accept my apologies. Sometimes work just gets in the way. I like to write my blogs about personal things and real things and I like to do them (as I think they should be done) on my own. It’s just been crazy busy in our office since before the New Year. Usually there’s a period of time in the winter when people see if they succeed or fail at their New Year’s resolutions, but Spring sprang early this year and people started coming in… Read More

I find myself running behind in the office and sometimes doing what I hate the most… keeping someone waiting for their cosmetic surgery consultation. I am on your side here. I don’t like waiting in the doctor’s office either. So first and foremost if you are reading this and I have kept you waiting, or will keep you waiting, I offer you my sincere apologies. There is more to this blog however. I thought you might find it interesting to know how and why we can get backed up. —–The cascading arrival time: While we have a good scheduling program… Read More

Recently a French manufacturer of silicone breast implants, Poly Implant Prothèse or PIP, came under Investigation by the French government for using low grade silicone in their silicone gel breast implants. The French have recommended that patients with these implants have them removed and replaced as a preventive, but not urgent matter. These breast implants are not approved for use in the United States and I have never used them in my practice. The concern is only relevant for patients who have had breast augmentation outside the United States. The only gel breast implants approved for use in the United… Read More